Tech Executives Seek to Regulate American Innovation

Unelected tech leaders position themselves as unaccountable arbiters of emerging technologies

Feb. 23, 2026 at 7:52pm

A growing number of Silicon Valley executives are positioning themselves as unelected regulators of American power, speaking the language of responsibility and calling for global cooperation and international rules to restrict the pace and direction of technological innovation. This trend puts democratic decision-making second to the preferences of a small, insulated class of tech elites who believe experts should steer society's direction rather than citizens and elected governments.

Why it matters

This pattern reflects a broader ideology that has taken hold across much of the tech industry - a belief that innovation should be governed by centralized authority, global frameworks, and elite consensus rather than national interest or democratic accountability. As powerful tech leaders increasingly seek to shape national policy, guide global regulation, and define the boundaries of innovation itself, the future of American technology is at risk of being managed by unelected elites rather than the American people.

The details

Dario Amodei, CEO of AI company Anthropic, offers a revealing example of this trend. Amodei presents himself as above politics, speaking carefully about safety and protecting humanity from technological harm. Yet his policy positions consistently point to slowing American technological deployment, restricting competition, and placing greater authority in the hands of experts rather than voters or markets. This instinct is not unique to Amodei, but reflects a broader ideology across much of the tech industry that treats American power as something dangerous that must be restrained.

  • In February 2026, this article was published on newsmax.com

The players

Dario Amodei

CEO of artificial intelligence company Anthropic who has pushed for tighter global controls on AI development and restrictions on American AI exports.

Bill Gates

Built one of the most influential technology companies in history and leveraged that influence to shape global policy debates on public health, energy, and economic development.

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The takeaway

This trend puts the future of American technology at risk of being managed by unelected tech elites rather than the American people, undermining democratic decision-making and national interests in favor of the preferences of a small, insulated class of executives.